Fall 2014
MA 22400: Online Homework Instructions
Intro
This semester, almost all of your homework will be completed online using a program called Connect.
There is a direct correlation between time spent on homework and success in the course, so it is highly
recommended that you take the homework very seriously and spend sufficient time working on it.
NOTE: Practically speaking having a low overall homework grade can lower your overall semester
grade by as much as a full letter grade.
A few problems are not available in Connect. These are noted on the assignment sheet in bold, and
you must work these problems from the text. (There are copies of the text on reserve in the “MATH
Library”, should you decide not to purchase a text.) Note that the other bolded problems are covered on
quizzes and exams, so be sure to work them and ask questions in class if you need to.
Compatibility
To use Connect, it is critical that your computer setup is compatible with the program. If you are using
software that is not supported by Connect, you will experience a great deal of frustration due to the
problems that will occur. Unsupported software, or higher versions than listed as supported, causes
difficulties such as no answer box appearing, correct answers being graded as incorrect, scores not being
recorded correctly, etc. Further, unsupported software (or higher versions) may work fine for some
lessons but not for other lessons. You will suddenly experience difficulties, but not realize that your
software is the source.
For this reason, be absolutely sure to check the supported versions of software and be sure to run
the Plug-in Checker before working any problems. This will help insure that you have all of the correct
programs and settings. Once the Plug-in Checker has been run, a link is provided for any changes that
need to be made to your system.
If you need any other help with the computer requirements of Connect, you should call 800-3315094. The hours telephone support is available are Sunday, 7 pm – 12 am (midnight); Monday through
Thursday, 9 am – 12 am (midnight); Friday, 9 am – 7 pm. Note that you should not contact Connect by
email, as it will take more than 24 hours to get a response.
If you are having problems with your computer, you cannot miss a homework deadline. Rather,
you will need to use an ITaP computer (running the Plug-in Checker) to complete the homework on time.
This means that you will want to be sure to attempt each homework problem before the evening it is due.
Time Zone
All online homeworks are setup using Eastern Standard Time, following daylight savings time. You
will want to set your computer to local time, so the homeworks are available and due at the right times.
Registering
You need to register in the correct section by using Section Enrollment Web Address for this
semester(will be emailed to you by me). Follow the instructions and choose options carefully.
First time users: You will need two things. First, Section Enrollment Web Address, which will be
emailed to you. Additionally, you must purchase a registration code. If you purchase a new textbook, the
registration code is included. If you are unable to buy a text right away, buy a used text, or choose not to
buy a text, you can pay for registration using the Section Enrollment Web Address to get to the
Connect site. You will then be given the option of entering your registration code (if you have one), or
paying for your registration with a credit/debit card. After this, you will fill in information for your
account, and your registration will be confirmed. NOTE: There is also a grace period option so you
can wait a few days before paying Connect, so you can get started on the homework right away.
If you have any problems registering, you must call the Connect support team at 800-331-5094.
Before the next class meeting, you must be successfully registered for this semester’s Connect, so you
Fall 2014
will be ready for the first online assignment. No extensions will be given for students who fail to register
before Friday’s class.
Completing an Online Homework
The first online assignment is the homework that accompanies Lesson 3. It is due by 7:00 pm on
Wednesday, September 3.
You will have unlimited attempts and submissions on each assignment, until the deadline, to earn full
credit for each problem in the assignment. Your best attempt is always used at the end of the semester.
NOTE: For almost all individual problems you will have unlimited attempts. HOWEVER,
Multiple-Choice problems assign partial credit if you get a problem correct in more than 1 try.
SUGGESTION for Multiple-Choice problems: Use the help options on the right for the multiple-choice if
you want to get the problem correct in only 1 try. For example, "practice this question" will give the
student the same problem with different numbers. Or clicking "guided solution" will give you the full
answer, then you can try another one with different numbers.
In isolated cases, entering answers may be an issue. There isn’t always agreement as to the most
simplified version of an answer. Answers will mirror the answers in the back of the text. So, you can
refer to the text for help. We apologize in advance for the frustration this will cause. Unfortunately, the
problem is common to all online homework systems that have open answer problems.
Each homework is available at 12:01 a.m. a few days before the lesson, and it is due at 7:00 pm on the
evening of the next class session after the lesson. That is, for a Monday lecture homework will be due by
7:00 pm on Wednesday, etc. This may not give you time to work the entire assignment after class, if
you wait until the day it is due to start. It may only give you time to finish one or two problems that were
difficult for you, for which you had to ask your instructor for help in class. (Note that your instructor will
not work your online problem. Instead, he/she will use the text problem that is similar to your problem.)
NOTE: It is highly recommended that you complete all HW assignments the day/evening of a given
lecture, students who do this are far more successful on quizzes, and you will otherwise fall behind.
When you return to a partially completed assignment, only those problems not yet answered
correctly will appear when you return. However, they will be different versions of the problems than
those that appeared originally. At the deadline for the assignment, your assignment will automatically be
submitted, in case you forget to electronically submit your assignment to be graded. You should check
your scores in the gradebook often, to be sure they have been recorded correctly.
Viewing Results of the Assignment
Immediately after checking an answer, you will be told if your response is correct or incorrect. Shortly
after the due date, your final % correct on the homework, along with the answers to the problems
(showing both your answers and the correct answers), will be available.
If you think you have a correct answer but Connect is grading it as incorrect, here is what you
should do. First, enter your “correct” answer and check it. Print the screen that appears, showing your
answer and saying that it is wrong. Next, attach this to an email to the Course Coordinator
(davisok@purdue.edu) so you can be given credit for the problem. Also, email the Connect support team
to report the situation so they can help fix the problem. Be sure to attach the screenshot. You do not want
to have to deal with this problem repeatedly.
Extended/Excused Homeworks
Online homework can only be extended or excused by the Course Coordinator (davisok@purdue.edu).
The reasons acceptable for extending/excusing a homework are very limited. This is another reason you
should be sure to attempt the entire assignment before the due date.
Fall 2014
To request an extended/excused homework, you must contact the coordinator at the time the problem
occurs. If you have been ill, attach a pdf of your doctor’s note that shows the affected dates. (Note: we do
not need any information about your illness, only an idea of the due dates that have been affected.) A
PUSH (Purdue University Student Health Center) note is acceptable for missing a single deadline, unless
a more detailed note is added stating an extended period before the student may return to classes.
If you have only missed a couple of deadlines, the lessons will be extended. Only in the case of a long
absence will lessons be excused. If you are excused from a homework, your Connect score will not
reflect this, as the system is not currently capable of allowing for excused homeworks. The Course
Coordinator will adjust your score at the end of the semester.
Those students with fewer than three excused homeworks will have lowest scores dropped for the
balance of the three. (Note: This is not in addition to your excused absences. It is the balance of the three
not needed for excused absences.)
Help and Technical Support
Help with your Connect questions can be divided into math questions (how do I work this type of
math problem; where am I making a mistake), entering answers, and software/program issues (I can’t log
in; my browser keeps locking up; the answer box does not appear, it says to enter an answer, but I already
have, it says my correct answer is incorrect, etc.). You must use the appropriate resource to ask your
questions. Asking the incorrect resource only delays your getting help.
Math Questions:
Math questions can be asked in class (the similar text problem will be worked), during your
instructor’s office hours, during other MA 22400 instructors’ office hours, in the Math Help Room
(MATH 205/211) and at the free evening tutoring sessions.
Entering Answers:
Questions about entering answers can be asked by calling the Connect support team at 800-331-5094.
Software/Program Issues:
Software/program issues are also handled by the Connect support team (800-331-5094). If you are
having difficulties using your own computer, remember that you must use an ITaP computer, rather
than miss a deadline. For help in configuring your own computer, also contact the support team. If
the support team is unable to fix your problem before an assignment deadline, you must forward the
Connect support team’s email you received, or case number if you telephoned, to the Course
Coordinator to request an extension on the assignment.
Changing Sections
If you change sections of the course after having registered for this semester, you must also register
for your new section in Connect. To do this, first get the new Section Web Address from your new
instructor. Copy and paste the new web address in your browser and login to Connect using your
previous email address and password (these will not change). Confirm that you are registering for the new
section and continue to Connect. You are now registered in the new section. As soon as you have
registered in the new section, you must notify the Course Coordinator (davisok@purdue.edu), so your
previous homework scores can be moved to your new section. Be sure to include your name, previous
section (time and instructor), and your new section (time and instructor).
KEEP THIS HANDOUT TO USE AS A REFERENCE DURING THE SEMESTER.
(IF YOU CANNOT FIND IT, IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE VIA A LINK ON THE
COURSE WEB PAGE.)